Obituary of H. Ralph Niemietz

Mr. H. Ralph Niemietz, 79, of Travers Street, Poplar Drive, entered into eternal rest Monday evening at St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam. Born on October 30, 1926 he was the son of the late Albert and Anna Klee Niemietz. Ralph was a lifelong area resident and grew up on the family farm in Pattersonville. In December of 1943, Ralph joined the United States Naval Service. During his tenure he served in 3 Pacific Theaters, and was stationed in various parts of the country and served on the USS Chera. Upon his honorable discharge on May 7th, 1946, he had received the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with Three Stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Two Stars. After his tour of duty, Ralph returned to the area where he was employed by Webster Motors in Schenectady as Custom Automobile Painter; which later became Graham Ford for about 17 years. In 1970 he formed his own company, which was known as Ralph?s Outdoor Power Equipment. He ran his business until 1981 when he retired. Ralph was a communicant of St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church. He was also a skilled woodworking craftsman and frequented the ?Tool Shed.? He was also a certified pilot, loved animals, NASCAR and baseball. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a loving husband and father, and will be missed by all who knew him. His loving family includes his wife of 53 years, the former Lenora ?Lee? Rogers, whom he married on November 30, 1952 in St. Mary?s Church; one daughter, Deborah Gaspar Niemietz-Castillo of Albany, NY and one son, Eric Niemietz Linda McCann of Saratoga, NY; several nieces, nephews and cousins, and his kitty Lilee. Ralph was predeceased by one sister, Alice Flansburg, and a brother, Charles Niemietz. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday at 10a.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m. at St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam. Burial will take place with full military honors in St. Stanislaus? Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 4 until 7 Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County S.P.C.A., Disabled American Veterans or St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.